Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834)

Portrait Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), Kupferstich, Großbritannien 1785, Angus sculp, Published by J. Fielding, Pater-noster Row, 1785 Augt. 26; Bildquelle: Andrews, John: History of the war with America, France, Spain, and Holland: commencing in 1775 and ending in 1783, London 1785–1786, vol. 2, S. 422, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003689173/.

The French general Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, took part in the American War of Independence since 1777 and made a major contribution to the British capitulation at Yorktown (1781). In 1789, he became a member of the Estates-General and commanded the Parisian National Guard after the storming of the Bastille. His attempts to halt the radicalisation of the revolution failed and after the storming of the Tuileries (1792), when he wanted to march on Paris in order to protect the king, he was forced to flee abroad. During the July Revolution of 1830, he once again led the National Guard, prevented the creation of a republic and prepared Louis Philippe's (1773–1850) ascent to the throne.

Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), copper engraving, Great Britain, 1785, Angus sculp., Published by J. Fielding, Pater-noster Row, 1785 Augt. 26; source: Andrews, John: History of the war with America, France, Spain, and Holland: commencing in 1775 and ending in 1783, London 1785–1786, vol. 2, p. 422, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003689173/.